Cohort #10 (2025-2026)

Agustina Maradona grew up in Newark, California, where a deep passion for music and live events began to take shape early on. With aspirations of one day becoming an artist manager or owning a venue/bar that hosts acts from all over, she is driven by a love for the energy and creativity of live performance. Agustina is especially inspired by her close friends Diego and Sebastian, who play in incredible bands, her mother, whose unwavering support fuels her ambitions, and the vibrant Bay Area local music scene that continues to shape her taste and vision.

Motivated by a desire to learn the ins and outs of the live music industry, Agustina Maradona applied to the Concert Career Pathways (CCP) program at the UC Theatre. Drawn to the venue’s reputation for hosting amazing shows, she is excited to expand her knowledge across all aspects of show production—from behind-the-scenes operations to artist relations. With a strong foundation in community, creativity, and ambition, Agustina is eager to take the next step toward a future in music and events.

Allison was born and raised in San Francisco. She has grown up listening to music, since her parents would often listen to the radio. In elementary school, she learned to play the violin. However, when her middle school orchestra teacher introduced the other orchestra instruments available, she loved the sound of the cello, and switched to learning that instrument in her middle school and high school orchestra classes.

She is currently a student at San Francisco State University studying Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts, with a focus in audio. In her free time, she volunteers as an EMT at concerts, plays video games, and works as a stagehand for Local 16. She loves listening to music, and hopes to work as an audio engineer for live sound or studio recording in the future.

Allison takes inspiration from audio engineers, and music producers, including AJR, FINNEAS, and Jack Antonoff. She really admires the thought process they go through when creating and producing an album. She heard about the Concert Career Pathways program when she went to see The Wrecks at the UC Theatre in April and had a great time. She decided to apply for the program because she enjoys attending concerts, and wants to gain a better understanding of the different components and careers involved in the live concert industry. She is especially looking forward to attending workshops and shadowing shifts at The UC Theatre.

Anthony Mandujano is a guitaron player for Mariachi Nueva Leyenda. He’s been performing music for over ten years now ever since the 5th grade. Music is a big  of his life as it runs in his family as all of them are musicians. He is from Hercules, California, a suburban city in the Bay Area. 

Anthony wants to pursue a career in the Concert industry as he has a big passion for music as a musician. His ultimate goal is to have a career in this industry whether that’s a performer or producer. Anthony's father has been a big inspiration to him as his father manages his own norteño group and Anthony’s mariachi group as a musician and sound engineer. He joined the Concert Career Program because they are a non profit organization that will help guide him and people from various backgrounds find and understand different career paths in the industry.

Arabella was born and raised in Hayward, California. She’s a multimedia artist. Her interests include comic books, history, and artistic expression across mediums. She was raised by strong, educated women-most notably her mother, a teacher who instilled in her the importance of social justice and equity. Through her mother’s example, Arabella developed a deep passion for activism, which became a central part of her identity. She obtained her love of live music across many genres from the influences of her grandmother and aunt.

Through the CCP program, Arabella is finding ways to fulfill her aspiration of finding meaningful ways to connect and contribute to the Bay Area’s art community. She finds her greatest inspirations in the voices who’ve paved the way - whether from family or the music of Amy Winehouse, Chet Baker and Billie Holiday. When in search of inspiration, Arabella often visits the SF MOMA, and when she seeks knowledge. She turns to local libraries. Arabella believes that creativity is all around us - one just has to look for it.

Azi Levy was born in San Francisco, California. She moved with her two moms and older sister to the East Bay when she was 6 years old, and has lived in Berkeley and Oakland ever since. She enjoys spending time in nature and the mountains, taking long hikes and backpacking. In July 2025 she hiked 100 miles in the Trinity Alps. She started playing piano when she was 7 years old and now plays guitar and is learning to produce music. She also enjoys weightlifting and swimming. One of her favorite activities is making a fire playlist. 

Some of Azi’s biggest aspirations are to go to college and figure out a career that suits her best. She really wants to read more novels and infinitely expand her music taste. She dreams of one day hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and summiting Mount Shasta. She is inspired by the culture of the Bay Area and artists from here – for example, Larry June, Grateful Dead, and Boots Riley. Live shows also inspire her, especially live music, which is one of the main reasons she applied to the CCP program. She also applied because she wants to learn more about live mixing and producing live concerts. She also wants to learn and work in an environment she loves so much.

Carlos was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco and lived there with their parents for 3 years until they moved to the Bay Area. He lived in many different parts of the bay but mainly grew up in San Francisco in the Mission district with his family. Carlos loved art and music but never had the chance to be creative as he grew up because of how overprotective their family is. As his high school graduation approached, his family finally let him go to his first concert and he had the most amazing time of his life. After graduating high school they tried to go to more concerts little by little, sometimes with friends and sometimes by himself, and the more shows they went to the more their love for live music grew. After his first year in college they moved to Berkeley and his friends in the area started taking him to see a lot of live music in the local scene. Before this, Carlos had only gone to see artists he knew in larger venues so getting to see a show where people aren’t just standing and watching was exciting. As they became more involved in the scene they began to go to more shows, occasionally helping out friends with their shows, and even have fun if they go by themselves.

Apart from live music, Carlos is a current student at Berkeley City College, majoring in Sociology and hoping to transfer to University of California Santa Cruz because of previous mentors who graduated from there. As a first generation college student, their current goal is to be accepted into UC Santa Cruz and graduate with a degree in Sociology and in a second undecided major. Carlos has done a lot of work with non profits so he hopes to continue working with non-profit organizations after graduating. Carlos applied to the Concert Career Pathways Program because he wants to learn more about the live music industry and potentially find another career option he can take on as a second major to continue being a part of the live music industry in the future. Being a part of the program will also allow them to learn many new things and even gain more skills in interest he already has. Carlos is excited to take on this journey and he looks forward to seeing what path his life will take thanks to the Concert Career Pathways Program.

Dahlia Suiter is from San Diego, California, where she grew up going to shows and playing in bands. She was always fascinated with the process of setting up shows and working with musicians to express their visions. After attending college in the Bay, she fell in love with the area and decided to move to Berkeley. She saw the CCP booth at a (very fun) Rocky Horror showing and decided to apply. Dahlia is excited to join the 10th cohort and create relationships with other folks who love music. She hopes to learn more about sound engineering and talent buying, in particular. Ultimately, she wants to enter the music industry to amplify underrepresented voices and create more accessible spaces.

Outside of the CCP program, Dahlia works at a garden focused on environmental education and food access. She's inspired by spaces where communities can gather and grow, and hopes to foster that in a live music environment. You can usually find her writing music, watching movies, and making playlists!

Born and raised in San Francisco, Danielle Leong is a rising junior at UC Berkeley, studying Asian American Studies and Media Studies. For the past two years, she helped plan events for first generation Filipino high school students to make higher education more accessible. Danielle is also part of Berkeley B-Side, a student-run music organization, where she plans live events. Outside of being a student, she enjoys watching movies and trying new cafes.

As an avid concert goer, Danielle is excited to see what happens behind the scenes of her favorite live events. She aspires to combine her love for education and the arts through working at organizations like The UC Theatre. Danielle is inspired by her community who support and uplift her and her forever role model, her sister. Danielle’s other inspirations are her favorite comedy queens, Ayo Edebiri and Ali Wong. She applied to the CCP program because she wanted to learn more about one of her favorite venues and to meet new people.

Ellie Frost was born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, California, where she currently lives. A recent graduate of Holden High School, Ellie concentrated on music during her studies, with a strong focus on songwriting and live performance. She plays both guitar and drums, and also enjoys creative writing and going to live shows in her free time.

Ellie is excited to participate in this internship, as she hopes one day to open her own venue to support and showcase local independent artists. She’s eager to learn more about the industry and looks forward to connecting with others who share her passion for live music.

Emily Gonzalez was born and raised in Fairfield, California. She has always held a passion for the creative arts. During her high school years, she was involved in Musical Theatre, Art Club, and Leadership Team. Emily is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts at Solano Community College with plans to transfer to a four-year college for a Bachelor's degree in Photojournalism.

When she was thirteen, she was gifted her first camera, and she didn’t understand at the time that she would soon develop a deep passion for photography. Capturing the emotions within a specific moment or memory has been such a special aspect of photography for her. Emily plans to combine her love for photography with her passion for live music. Her ultimate dream would be to follow an Artist on tour and capture photos and video media for them to support their creative vision and presence. She hopes to work alongside other creatives who share similar passions.

Growing up just outside of the Bay, Emily has always found herself being drawn to the live music scene. As a frequent concert goer, Emily has first-hand experience of the live music community. Emily believes live music can bring people together from different walks of life for a common purpose. Attending these shows and witnessing that community has inspired Emily to discover a creative path of her own within the concert industry. She feels inspired by her friends, who follow their creative pursuits and encourage her to do the same. She finds inspiration in her family, who have always encouraged her to follow her heart’s deepest desires and dream big. Emily aims to learn more about what it takes to put together a successful music event. Concert Career Pathways has allowed her to discover her role in building that special community within the live music space.

Born and raised in Berkeley, Glenna has enjoyed the Bay Area music scene for over a decade. She grew up enthralled by the city's vibrant culture and access to many touring acts, and music quickly became the center of her world. As a child, she spent seven years singing with SFGC, which allowed her to perform around the US in concert halls such as Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, meeting many talented musicians and enjoying a wide range of classical music styles. Outside of chorus, her free time was consumed by all things music, teaching herself various instruments and playing with friends. While attending UC Berkeley, she continued her love of music, performing in the schools Chamber Chorus and community projects while also working at a local record store, where she began to explore the archival and retail side of the music industry, all while adding more records to her already growing collection.

After graduating from Cal, Glenna chose to stay in the Bay Area, continuing to grow her love of music both personally and professionally. Now as the General Manager of Rasputin Music on Telegraph, she spends her days surrounded by music and connecting with fellow music lovers. Many weekends are often filled with live shows, both big and small and is always up to seeing both new and familiar artists. 

Although she’s carved out a special place for herself in the retail music world, Glenna is eager to grow beyond her current role and contribute to the larger industry in a more impactful way. She applied to the CCP program to deepen her understanding of the music business and gain hands-on experience behind the scenes in a variety of skills. Inspired by the women who are thriving in record labels, live entertainment, and talent agencies, especially in spaces that have traditionally been male-dominated, she hopes to help make the industry more inclusive. Through the 10th cohort of the UC Theatre program, she aims to build meaningful connections, gain new tools, and help open doors for others who are equally passionate about shaping the future of music while finding her place in it herself.

Jayden Davis, also known by his artistic persona J.A.A.D, is a multidisciplinary artist from Oakland, California, raised in South Berkeley. His creative journey began early, shaped by both adversity and imagination. Born in 2005 with perinatal asphyxia and a congenital brain cyst, Jayden later developed epilepsy, a condition that deeply influenced his relationship with his body and mind. Despite these challenges, his childhood rich with cartoons, comics, Legos, and live music sparked a lifelong connection to creativity. Surrounded by family in South Berkeley and inspired by his time at Malcolm X Elementary, he found his voice through music, first playing clarinet and piano, then growing into beat-making and live performance.

Jayden’s artistic evolution has been nurtured by key mentors, including his grandfather, who introduced him to art, sci-fi, and museums, and the late Oakland legend D’Wayne Wiggins, who guided him into music production. Under the name DJ 9.5, Jayden began performing throughout Oakland, hosting dances, spinning beats on morning announcements, and crafting electronic soundscapes. These early experiences, combined with his resilience through seizure complications and emotional struggles, led to the birth of J.A.A.D, a character both mythic and grounded, created to channel radical emotion, self-reflection, and storytelling.

J.A.A.D exists as a symbol and a sonic mirror: a figure born from healing, loss, and spiritual survival. His art lives at the intersection of sound and spirit, blending vulnerability with bold imagination. Inspired by community, collaboration, and artists like Lil Shlurp Shlurp, Jayden applied to the CCP program to connect with a collective of creatives in Berkeley and beyond. His goal is to co-create meaningful work that brings people together and honors the emotional truths we all carry. Through J.A.A.D, he invites others into a world built from peace, introspection, and the unshakable will to keep dreaming.

Jayden grew up in Sacramento but moved to the city of Vacaville at the age of 4 and has been there since. He attends Solano Community College currently to get his degree in Film and Television. He is 21 years old. He likes to play sports, video games and workout. He also has a cat named Katniss.

Jayden’s aspirations consist of hoping to be a filmmaker one day, whether that be a documentary film or a rom-com. His mother is someone who inspires him to keep thriving everyday and keep moving forward to his goals. He joined the CCP program in hope of learning more about the music industry and to create moments that will last forever.

Jennifer Quiroz is a proud Bay Area native from Richmond, California. A recent San Francisco State and Berkeley City College graduate, she is hoping to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and gravitates towards the visual aspects of production - specifically camera and lighting. Aside from the technical aspects of things, she is passionate about advocating for diversity, inclusion, and the representation of voices who are often overlooked in media - both behind and in front of the camera. Her combined love for creating welcoming and fun experiences for people and her love for music and concerts drew her to this internship opportunity and she is looking to learn about what it takes and is looking to develop the necessary skills to pursue a career in the live music industry. She is inspired by the possibility of reaching a point in her life where she is able to do what she loves and have it impact people in a positive way.

Above everything else, Jessica Vallan is a storyteller. She’s a multidisciplinary artist from Oakland, fueled by a love of DIY artmaking and immersive worldbuilding. Her interests lie in multimedia work; she’s inspired by the thrill of weaving together elements that engage multiple senses at once. 

In 2024, Jessica graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She wore many hats throughout her time in college, from graphic designer to photographer to set designer to performer to filmmaker. Now, she’s hoping to use her passions to carve a fulfilling, creative career path. Art has always been Jessica's biggest tool for connecting with others, and she will always use her art to empathize with and make space for those around her.

A self-proclaimed fangirl, Jessica can recount her first-ever concert experience in extremely vivid detail. She aspires to work on a team that crafts similar experiences that touch hearts and leave lasting impressions. She applied to the CCP program out of a commitment to lifelong learning and is thrilled for the opportunity to join a community dedicated to making the music industry more diverse & accessible.

Julianne Sabale (she/her) is a Filipino-American writer and youth worker based in Daly City, California. Recently graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay, Sabale holds a B.A in Humanities and Communication with a concentration in Creative Writing and Social Action.

Growing up in close proximity to live music hot spots San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, Sabale spent her teen years running around the Bay to catch shows with her best friends. Through this experience, she quickly learned that shows hold something bigger than the music: a strong sense of resistance, community, and care. The impact of these experiences led her to apply for the Concert Career Pathways Program with the desire of contributing to the spaces she felt most drawn to in her youth.

Sabale hopes to one day find a career that allows her to contribute to her mission of radical care and social justice, while also providing her with the flexibility to be creative. Through the CCP Program, Sabale seeks skills necessary to succeed in the live music industry while also forming strong bonds with like-minded peers and mentors!

Magena was born and raised in the Bay Area, growing up in Alameda, she’s firmly an East Bay loyalist. She is currently attending San Francisco State University and is in her final year as a psychology major. Post graduation she hopes to travel a lot and eventually get into a PhD program with a focus on the scientific research side of psychology. Along with possibly becoming a fulltime assessment and research psychologist, she is an avid writer who dreams of being an author, successful or not, she wants to write her own book one day. That’s the makeshift plan anyway, but she also recognizes that life is full of surprises and she likes the spontaneity that comes with going through the motions somewhat unprepared. This was a big reason why she applied to the CCP program in the first place.

 Magena did not think she would get to the interview stage, let alone become a part of the 10th cohort of interns. Still, she applied just in case, on a whim because she really wanted to be fully immersed in the music world. Going to diy shows and concerts is her favorite pastime and definitely her largest financial drain. Most of her friends are musicians, she herself plays drums and is attempting to get better at guitar, although that’s more of a pipe dream at the moment. Every spare second of her life is spent listening to music so she decided to become less of a passive enjoyer and actually participate in what it takes to run a music venue and put on an amazing show. 

Magena has a lot of people and ideas that inspire her. The concept that there is always more time and it is never too late is a big reason why she tries at all. She likes knowing that Kim Gordon was 27 when she started playing guitar and then went on to form Sonic Youth. She finds solace in the fact that Eve Babitz was 30 when her first memoir was published. She holds on to the notion that people go back to school at 50 and reinvent themselves over and over again throughout their lives. That we are not tied to one thing forever. She loves being multi-faceted with numerous aspirations. She wants to be the drummer of a shitty screamo band as much as she wants to write a series of short stories and run everyday and sew her own clothes and help people and the environment and be there for her friends and contribute to the world. Applying to the CCP program is just one of many things she wants to do in life but it is her main focus for the time being and she cannot wait to see where it takes her.

Coming from San Leandro, California, Malachi Ray is a 19 year old artist who sees the world as a canvas. After attending many youth programs in Oakland and graduating from Oakland School for the Arts, he has built a personal brand. After teaching himself along the way he now teaches Oakland youth about music and filmmaking.

Malachi, using the alias Malye, has released multiple projects in both film and music and hopes to expand even more. The underground rap scene and spending time in nature are very inspiring to him. The marketing for Che’s new Rest in Base project has influenced how he thinks about marketing and how everything can come together in a cohesive way.

Taking inspiration from early 2000s pop culture and Hollywood aesthetics, he is currently working on an upcoming album called Ready4Hollywood. As a multimedia artist, Malachi has aspirations in all areas of art. Focused on keeping his doors open and building wealth in the future, he is eager to learn new skills, join different programs, and connect with organizations. He hopes to reach a point in life where he can create freely and live off his art.

Nicholas Rarick was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California, about an hour north of San Francisco. He found himself at a local show where his friend’s band was playing their first gig. He fell in love with live music that night. Since then he has been attending concerts, both local and bigger shows in the city, and also playing music himself. He’s currently playing local shows in a band!

Nick would often take the trip down to the bay area to see his favorite artists play. At every show he went to he always ended up looking away from the stage and at the crowd. The sea of smiles and waves of excitement sparked a feeling in him. He knew he wanted to have a part in bringing people together like that. After attending numerous shows in the Bay Area at various venues, He was recommended a post by the UC Theatre Instagram account advertising their Concert Career Pathway program, and knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Now enrolled in the class Nick hopes to learn as much as he can about the live music industry and find his place in creating those smiles he sees at every show.

Anin-Avalon also known as Black Dahlia is an 18 year old musician and d.i.y. booker based in the bay area. They began their journey in music from within the East Bay punk scene 5 years ago when they attended their first show. Prior to this they were an avid listener of the Punk, metal and Psychedelic Rock genres. It was at this point they began their first band although short lived this made them realize that their passion for this would be persistent and that being a part of this community and creation of music and performance was something they wanted to be a part of for the rest of their life. They have always had a creative mind and have loved many mediums over the years and continue to. They are one with a strong sense of drive towards their passions involving their passions and aspire to someday have them as their only obligation.

Their journey into the world of interest behind the scenes began around two years ago when they realized that there was a large lack of femme fronted and POC bands in the area being consistently booked and that their band was having trouble picking up bills. So what did they do? They began creating the space that they wanted to see. This was the birth of Black Dahlia booking and is what has led them to this program today. They now book shows bi-weekly centering bands of all genres of music and person, and throw consistent benefit shows with harm reduction supplies provided at their events. Their eventual goal is to own an all ages venue that is operated communally and is used to give the aid needed in its area as well as providing a space for those who felt unsafe in this scene and industry to enjoy themselves and be in community.

They grew up in the Richmond district of San Francisco and have lived here for all 21 years of their life so far. They have 2 younger siblings, 1 older and they all shared a room growing up. They also are lucky enough to have family on both their mom and dad’s side so they have made many trips to visit them often. Some of their favorite trips were to Oregon because of the nature and how remote the location was. It was far enough from any big cities so the air was always fresh and the night time was dark enough to see lots of stars. They also made trips to France every summer which has made them love traveling and the process of going through the airport and sitting on a flight. Many people dread that part but it has always been their favorite part. Growing up they played a lot of sports such as soccer, swimming, tennis, basketball, and flag football. Playing so many sports as a kid and having that be one of their safe spaces led to them working with kids and eventually coaching and even refereeing for some games. Once they turned 18, they stopped playing for their club team organization and coached for them, instead. Alongside coaching they also have been working as a server for the past 3 years. They are happy with their current job but they are definitely looking to move up and are open to new beginnings. There are a few reasons why Nora applied to the CCP program; one of them is to find out if there could be a future for them in the industry. They applied to the program with the mindset of finding a path for themselves and hopefully making new friends along the way. Nora doesn't feel they get out of the house as much as they would like to, but the things they do to get out of the house lately has not left Nora feeling fulfilled. They suspect that is because they are looking in the wrong places. Nora thought this would be a great way to get out of their comfort zone but still feel that they are contributing to their own future.

Their family, specifically their sister, inspires them. Their sister has always been a very strong figure in their life and the way they speak about Aisha, her name, you would think she’s their older sister but no. Talking to their sister has helped them see their own value as a human. She sees things that Nora rarely notices about themselves. Watching their sister tackle her life is the most inspiring thing. They know she struggles the same as everyone else, but watching her hold her head high and do her thing makes them feel that it's possible for them to do that for themselves. As they have both gotten older they both started talking to each other more and discovering how alike and different they truly are, even being raised in the same home. They talk about their time growing up and they both remember it so differently. Watching musicians and their passion for music and the arts also inspires them a bunch. Watching others be happy doing the things they love or being with those they love inspires Nora to find that for themselves. While Nora has a very loving family that wants the best for them, they still find themselves searching for acceptance that their family can not provide through no fault of their own. There are certain things that they feel their family simply doesn’t understand no matter how many times they have explained themselves, preventing them from exploring themselves fully without fear of rejection from the people they love so much.

As for aspirations, they have always had a hard time answering this because it’s such a big question. Nora has a passion for music and would love to see that flourish into a career. They want to be able to make music that people can connect with and to be able to have music be part of their daily life in many capacities. They also dream of living in a space where they can have animals run free. They have always loved animals and would love to have either a space for their cat to run freely without wild animals being a threat, or to have a farm/ranch so they can have animals and nature all around. Research still needs to be done but Nora also hopes to be able to run a group home of sorts. They’re not exactly sure about the process needed but they would love to be able to provide a safe space for those who don’t have one. Lastly, as Nora grows they hope to never stop wanting to learn: wanting to discover things about themselves or the world. They hope to never close off their mind from new possibilities no matter what age or place in life.

Stella grew up in the Bay Area all her life, specifically Oakland. Since being a young child, she had fond memories of spending time at the local Lake Merritt and enjoying the diversity within the beautiful city. She’s currently an upcoming senior in high school, excited about what’s ahead and eager to keep learning and growing.

 The reason why she is interested in working in the concert industry is because she is drawn to elements of the industry such as entertainment, passion, and creativity. By joining the CCP program, her aspirations are to grow as a person alongside others who share similar interests and explore what it takes to be in the entertainment world. She has a deep love for music and is interested to be more involved in what happens behind the scenes at concerts.

Toby was born in LA, and moved to Berkeley for his freshman year of high school. He enjoys playing D&D and video games, as well as crocheting and reading in his free time. He plays piano and is in a choir. They have a deep love for music, which was part of the reason they applied to the CCP. 

Toby is in the AHA program at Berkeley High, and heard about the CCP through the school. He has always loved concerts, and wants to provide others with the same amazing concert experiences. They have always been interested in the “behind-the-scenes” of things, and could see themselves in a career in one of the elements that makes up a show. Toby isn't quite sure what he wants to do yet - not caused by a lack of interest, but an abundance of it. 

Toby finds himself inspired by finding the beauty in the mundane, by making an effort to enjoy life & help others do the same, Dimension 20 ( both the cast and the crew), and gorgeous video games with beautiful soundtracks.

Topey Plourde was born and raised in Berkeley California. A recent graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in popular music, he first picked up guitar when he was 12 and has developed a deep passion for music. He attended lots of shows and concerts in the area as a teenager, including many at The UC Theatre, and is now the vocalist of the local Death Metal band Iron Front. 

Topey is inspired by the power music has to unite and act as a conduit for self expression, giving voices to many who otherwise might not be heard. He hopes to build a career within the music world and is excited to be a part of this program as a step towards achieving that.

Hello! My name is Xolani Rodriguez. I was born and raised in the Bay Area—specifically San Leandro—and am currently studying psychology at Laney Community College in Oakland. 

Some of my biggest inspirations in life are my family members and friends; they’re some of the most creative and supportive people I know who perpetually push me to achieve my best work. Being surrounded by that energy 24/7, I am driven by self-expression and creativity to be wholly myself in every way. While my aspirations seem to change so quickly, I know for certain that I want to work with and around music or art. Music and its beauty is so central to me that I couldn’t imagine a future without it. 

I applied to the CCP Program because I’ve always been so intrigued by what goes on behind the scenes to make concerts come together. I heard about the CCP program during a concert at the UC Theatre in 2022, and could not wait to apply once I was eligible. I had always been curious how people got involved in the industry and what went on to put on such grand productions. Concerts and music have always played such a large part in my life—music’s always been communication, escapism, and also grounding for me. Some of my favorite memories are going to concerts with people I cherish and connecting with them even more through music.  And now, through this program, I cannot wait to do hands-on work and help provide the live music experience for others.